Thanksgiving is one a holiday that I plug into, because of the focus on family. I begin the week by setting up my Thanksgiving Prep Plan. Between 12 and 20 of us usually eat dinner at my parents. We bring all the food and they host. As their time grows short I value more and more what a special thing it is to celebrate life with a loving family.
Having a plan to help me prepare really cuts down on the stress. I do a bit of cooking for Thanksgiving day because I love it and I want to healthier food options on the table. I use local and organic ingredients when possible. I talk about this in my Thanksgiving blog last year. Check this link for some ideas to lighten up your Thanksgiving.
Organizing and executing starts a few days before Thanksgiving. This is a busy week and in order to get the work done without running around like a turkey with my head cut off, planning is crucial. I want to be able to really appreciate the company and the food on Thursday, be thankful. So I set up a list and schedule and use it to stay on track.
Thanksgiving Prep Plan Here’s mine!
Monday
- Clean out space for the bird in the fridge.
- Pick Up the sustain-ably raised bird from the farm. Local Meat CSA
- Check in with Mom for any last minute adds
- Make a shopping list for ingredients and supplies
Tuesday
- Shop from my list
- Pick Up my Organic CSA Veggies
- Make Pie, I have pumpkin cooked and frozen from the summer CSA
- Make Dessert Gluten Sugar Free Apple Crisp is on the menu with local apples from up the street.
Wednesday
- Check ingredients and dishes
- Make sure the meat thermometer is working.
- Make a new list, What did I forget? (I would like to get rid of this step, but invariably I need pick something up I forgot.)
- Shop for anything I forgot or now need
- Chop and Prep Veggie Dishes
- Make a sugar free Cranberry Sauce
- Make Stuffing
- Set the oven racks up to hold a turkey. Otherwise I forget, preheat the oven on Thursday at 4:30 am, and have to move around hot oven racks, a total pain
Thursday
- Scrub the sink
- Wash and Stuff Bird
- Set the meat Thermometer
- Preheat the Oven
- Cook Bird I cook to a temperature of 165 deep in the breast meat
- Heat Veggies
- Clean Up!
- Pack Coolers, One for the hot stuff and one for the cold
- Pack the car
- Head off to Mom’s for Lunch
I get everything well cleaned up before we leave. I love to come home and just unwind.
Sometimes looking the list, for my Thanksgiving Prep, I get more than a little overwhelmed, but I know I am much better off with the list than without.
Get aligned and organized for a great Thanksgiving Dinner. #Happy Thanksgiving Share on X
Happy Thanksgiving, I wish you community, connection and enjoyment.